Ruth Benjamin

Ruth Evelyn Benjamin, age 99 of Miles City, passed away peacefully at the TLC Personal Care Home in Miles City.

Ruth was born on April 9, 1919 in Ekalaka. She was the daughter of John Frederick and Sarah Bell (Powell) Johnson. She attended grade schools in Ekalaka and graduated from Carter County High School. Following school, she helped her parents out on the family place until she met Wesley James "Jim" Benjamin.

Jim and Ruth were married in 1941 in Baker, MT. Over the years, they were employed on different ranches in the Ekalaka and Broadus area. Together they bought a place on Moon Creek in 1956 where they lived for the past 60 years. The place is still in the family to this day. They also raced thoroughbred horses from California to Pennsylvania, Canada and Montana.

Ruth is survived by her two sons: Ben and Tom both of Terry, Montana; two daughters: Mary Ruth Derenburger of Miles City and Debbie Stevens of Lewistown; 10 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Jim; son Arnold Benjamin, her parents John and Sarah; and her siblings: Mabel Myers, Della Crawford, Fred Johnson, Violet Sterns, Gladys Cummings, Joy Rave and two infant siblings.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 17, with the family receiving friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 18, at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family plot at the Beaver Lodge Cemetery in Ekalaka, MT.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Carter County Museum, 306 Main St. Ekalaka, MT 59324. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: http://www.stevensonandsons.com.